Upper School Music

Concert Choir

Fall, Winter, Spring

Open to: Grades 9-12

This choral ensemble is for any student who has a desire to sing (no previous experience required). Concert Choir members learn vocal techniques, how to sing in multiple voice parts, healthy singing habits, music reading, and group dynamics. The repertoire is chosen from many different eras and with differing styles from sacred and spiritual text to modern popular or musical theater pieces. There are three required performances (one per term) at our concerts, as well as field trips and smaller performances throughout the year. Students in the class will also have the opportunity to audition for the NH All-State Chorus, and all students will participate in the All New England Choral Festival at Plymouth State University in November. Instrumental Ensemble and Concert Choir meet during the same block. Students may enroll in this course multiple times over their time at Derryfield with permission of the instructor.

Instrumental Ensemble

Fall, Winter, Spring

Open to: Grades 9-12

Open to: Grades 9-12 This course is designed to improve your skill as an ensemble and solo performer. Students will have lessons emphasizing music literature from various periods of history. The ultimate goal of the ensemble course is for all students to perform at a high level while being exposed to a variety of musical literature. The course is designed to be flexible with the opportunity for student-driven small group ensembles. Through mentorship, leadership, and musicianship, this community grows together and prepares music for All School Assemblies, talent shows, school concerts, and other on and off-campus activities. Individual attention will be given to students in preparation for music festivals, solo, and small ensemble performances. This course is open to anyone with two or more years of experience on their instrument, or with the approval of the instructor. Instrumental Ensemble and Concert Choir meet during the same block. Students may enroll in this course multiple times over their time at Derryfield with permission of the instructor.

Honors Instrumental Composition

Fall, Winter, Spring

Open to: Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: By audition with the ensemble director. Students must be enrolled in Instrumental Ensemble.

Taught concurrently with Instrumental Ensemble, students enrolled will be expected to create warm up routines for the regular ensemble and to lead these routines. These students will be assigned as section leaders and lead sectional rehearsals. They will be expected to create original compositions and/or musical arrangements appropriate for the full ensemble, or as a collaboration with their fellow honors students in a separate ensemble. Students are required to keep a practice log and to commit to 90 minutes of personal practice time per week. Students may enroll in this course multiple times over their time at Derryfield with permission of the instructor.

Concert Choir/Instrumental Ensemble Combined

Fall, Winter, Spring

Open to: Grades 9-12

The Combined Concert Choir/Instrumental Ensemble program allows ninth through twelfth grade students, beginner through advanced, to all meet during the same period, and learn about and make music together. Throughout the week there are large ensemble rehearsals, small group coaching sessions, and the opportunity for student driven small group ensembles. Through mentorship, leadership, and musicianship this community grows together and prepares music for All School Assemblies, talent shows, concerts in the winter and spring, and other on and off campus activities. US Instrumental Ensemble and Concert Choir meet during the same block. Students may enroll in this course multiple times over their time at Derryfield with permission of the instructor.

Introduction to Guitar

Fall

Open to: Grades 9-12

In this course, students will experience playing the guitar in solo and as a class. An introduction to the instrument, students will learn strumming fingering technique, how to read music, and improvisation with a lead sheet. Students will learn blues patterns and classical music in addition to learning pieces they choose for themselves. Students will become familiar with tuning and basic maintenance of the instrument Throughout the trimester, students are expected to maintain a learner’s journal and manuscript notebook to record and reflect upon their process of learning.

Introduction to Piano

Winter

Open to: Grade 9-12

The piano is a popular instrument in all genres of music, and it is one that anybody can learn to play! In this class, you will have opportunities to learn different playing styles from classical to contemporary, Mozart to Billy Joel, Disney to Broadway show tunes. This is a course for anyone who wants to learn how to play their favorite songs, accompany themselves or a friend, or just sit down and experiment with a keyboard for a while.

Students will learn playing technique, basic music-reading skills, proper scale fingerings, key identification, and chord progressions. They will then apply these skills to both standard and lead-sheet notation. The class is for beginner piano students, and is designed to go at a comfortable pace for a deeper foundational understanding.

iSound

Spring

Open to: Grades 9-12

Interested in laying down your own beats, composing your own melody, or actually designing your own sounds? Then this course is for you! “ iSound” is Derryfield’s exciting new music course, combining the musical arts with 21st century skills. Students will be able to customize their learning by choosing from either a Sound Production or a Composition path, culminating in a final project. This course encourages individual creativity in the musical style(s) of the students’ choosing, whether or not they have a musical background, as well as any non-musical sound design they choose to pursue. By using Soundtrap, an online audio recording studio, students will have access to over 4,000 loops, sound effects and virtual instruments at their fingertips to help them create their desired product.